Council passes mayoral no confidence motion

The Ararat council has passed a motion of no confidence in its embattled Mayor Andrea Marian.

Councillor Marian is facing four conflict of interest charges brought by the Local Government Inspectorate.

On Monday, the matter was adjourned in the Ararat Magistrates Court until September.

Last night's council meeting was the first since the charges were laid.

It was briefly suspended when tempers flared and a shouting match took place over the Mayor.

During general business, a no confidence motion in Cr Marian was passed.

Afterwards, the Mayor said she was defending the charges and did not intend to stand down under any circumstance.

Meanwhile, former Ararat mayor Paul Hooper says the community wants Cr Marian to stand down until allegations against her are heard in court.

"Right at the end of the council meeting, general business, there was an attempt by Cr Allgood to ask the Mayor to stand down, which was knocked out on a point of order and it got to Cr Marshall who moved a motion of no confidence which was ultimately passed four-three which was the last item of business," he said.